Thank you for being with us for the inaugural season of Above the Divide. This season was based on John 17:20-22, and we hope each episode encouraged you and gave you new ideas to walk in unity with people you love and others you might vehemently disagree with. Join us for this final episode as we look back at the aw-haw moments shared by our guests!

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In this episode of Above the Divide, Paula Dannielle and Pastor David Brown discuss the importance of unity and healing in a politically charged environment. They reflect on the recent election, the challenges of bridging divides, and the significance of Ephesians 4 in fostering community and understanding. The conversation emphasizes the need for humility and gentleness in navigating differing perspectives, recognizing that our identities and beliefs can often become intertwined with political issues. Ultimately, it underscores God's compassion and the significance of personal growth in navigating these challenges.

David grew up in the beautiful foothills of Tennessee. He later graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering. After he encountered the Lord, he followed His call into ministry. He received his Masters of Divinity and Masters in Christian Counseling from Gordon Conwell in Charlottte, NC. Recently, he earned a Doctorate in Ministry from Portland Seminary in Leadership and Spiritual Formation. David has served in pastoral and leadership roles in several churches in the Charlotte area. He desires for all to encounter the Father’s love and be transformed into the son or daughter of God they were created to be. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have 5 lovely daughters. David enjoys board games, hiking, and curating “dad jokes” for fun.

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In this episode of Above the Divide, Pastor Paula Dannielle and Pastor Courage Molina discuss the importance of communicating with dignity, especially in a world where conversations can quickly turn indignant. They explore the significance of asking the right questions, understanding context, and the role of relationships in effective communication. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-awareness, humility, and relinquishing control over outcomes to the Holy Spirit, particularly when addressing complex topics.

Courage Molina is the lead pastor of Bold Faith Community Church, an online church for women ready to read, understand, and live out God's Word with boldness and confidence. She's the host of the Courageous Disciples podcast and creator of Courageous Disciples, a discipleship program and community where women learn to dive deep into the Bible and walk boldly in their faith, pursuing what God has called them to do and who He's called them to be. Author of Power Principles of Courageous Living, Courage shares real-life stories and practical insights to help women build unshakeable confidence through a deep, genuine relationship with God. Her mission? To equip women to seek, hear, and obey God's voice above all else. Off the clock. Courage is living and loving the family she's been blessed with in North Carolina, enjoying every good thing God has given her.

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In the Old Testament, the same word is used for righteousness and justice. The words are found together throughout the Bible, including in the New Testament. In many denominational traditions, Luke 4:18-19 is not just seen as referring to life after death but our life right now. This episode will discuss how justice and righteousness intertwine and indicate our love for God and our neighbor. This episode will also discuss how we use justice and righteousness in the voting booth to express our faithfulness to God and our love for our neighbors.

Rev. Angela V. Walker, Ph.D., is an educator and pastor in Greater Charlotte. She has been engaged in ministry since 1995 and has served as pastor to six congregations over the span of 21 years. In May 2024, she launched a new ministry called Oasis City Mission, which currently meets at the Comfort Suites Northlake and aims to bring a healing touch to Charlotte communities via outreach. As an educator, Walker has taught both high school and college; her areas of interest are language and culture.

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Pastor Josué Rodriguez launched Casa Viva Church, a Spanglish church in Charlotte created to help bridge the gap between 1st and 2nd generation Hispanic families and multi-ethnic couples.

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Scriptures Referenced:

• Matthew 5-7 -- Sermon on the Mount
• Genesis 3 -- Satan's deception of Eve
• Luke 10:25-37 -- Parable of the Good Samaritan

All Christians are affected by and involved in politics, whether they recognize it or not. Opinions on whether Christians should intentionally engage with the political sphere range from encouraged disengagement to deliberate and concentrated participation. This episode discusses Biblical reasons for political engagement, why some traditions encourage disengagement, positive changes in our political landscape led by the Church, and how to handle the tension between responsibility and distraction.

Rev. Dr. Bankole Akinbinu is the Senior Pastor of Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rev. Akinbinu was ordained in September 2009 and has earned degrees from Washington Bible College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Duke University. In August 2007, Pastor Akinbinu married the love of his life, Angel. They are the proud parents of Alivia and Elijah.

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Helpful Links from this Episode:

• Shcall, Jo Ann. Constantine's Effect on Early Christianity.
• Biblical Archeology Society. Who were the Essenes?
• Martin Luther King, Jr. & the Beloved Community
• Wallis, Jim. The False White Gospel.

Scriptures Referenced:

• Matthew 22:15-22 -- Render to Caesar what is Caesar's
• Amos 5:24 -- Let justice roll down like a river
• John 17:14-16 -- "in the world but not of the world" paraphrase

Hot political topics are often tied to personal experience and convictions. In this episode, we’ll discuss what it means to offer healing when a political position is taken based on trauma and hope when a political position is based on fear. What are some tips to listen well? When, or is it appropriate, to offer a counter perspective when someone is hurting? Can we, if so how, help someone process a position that is grounded in fear?

Today's guests are Pastor James and Pastor Tara Scott. James and Tara pastor The Exchange, in Charlotte, NC, where discipleship, outreach, encouragement and worship are foundational and a daily way of life. Along with serving at The Exchange, James and Tara are the founders and operators of Freedom Within Walls, a nonprofit organization that fights childhood hunger and equips children and families to break through systemic barriers to achieve their full potential. In addition to celebrating 21 years of marriage, James and Tara have three beautiful children: Jaidyn, Joshua, and Journey.

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Many of our church practices lean solely into getting people to a salvation confession moment, or we focus unevenly on loving others, and even sometimes, we are so justice-focused that we miss calling people to follow Jesus. These foci divide us from other churches, denominations, and each other, especially in high-tension political seasons. In this episode, Justin Taylor talks with Paula Dannielle about how these three may actually go together and form a world we have yet to experience. Let's listen together now to strengthen this cord.

Today's guest is Justin Taylor. Justin was born and raised in South Africa and came to Charlotte, NC, to marry his true love, Amber, who grew up at Carmel Baptist Church, where Justin now serves as the Worship Pastor. They’ve been married for 16 years and have three boys. Justin is passionate about worship that is God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Theologically-rich, and Scripture-soaked. The congregation would sing together their heads, yes, but from the heart!

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Read more:

Great Commandment in Matthew 22:34-40

Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20

Great Requirement in Micah 6:8

In this episode, we’ll discuss what it means to “love thy neighbor.” Can we use voting to love our neighbors well? What do we do when voting in our neighbors' best interest may not be in ours? Who gets to define loving—the giver or the recipient? Love is a complicated term that we need to consider a little more. And this episode talks about why, how, and if that belongs in the voting booth.

Pastor Barrington Johnson is an inspirational beacon of spiritual guidance, serving as the Senior Pastor of New Zion Church in Charlotte, NC. He married his high-school sweetheart, Tameka, and was blessed with three children: Barrington II, Anderson, and Emberlynn. Pastor Barrington has Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Science and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Pastor Barrington’s transparent and relatable teaching style resonates deeply, bridging the gap between scripture and contemporary life and allowing him to meet people where they are.

Resources from today's show:

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV
• Luke 10:25-37
• Hellerman, Joseph H., When the Church was a Family

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In this episode, we’ll discuss whether pastors should engage in political topics or partisanship from the pulpit and why. Is it the responsibility of pastors to address political topics or partisanship to a mass audience? What are some best practices for doing so? What are some of the pitfalls?

Today's guest is Casey Crimmins, the COO of FORCLT and co-founder of Multiply Church, where he leads a local church community that gathers in homes. Before becoming a pastor, Casey worked in the corporate sector for GE Capital for ten years. Casey graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Accounting and spent time studying theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte from 2015-2017. Casey is married to Tanya Crimmins, raising four incredible children whose energy never seems to cease.

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Meet the host of Above the Divide, Paula Dannielle! Paula is the lead pastor of Cohesion, a church in Charlotte, NC, passionate about creating community, unifying the Body, and equipping people. Having grown up in leadership in the church, Paula has seen it ALL! She has seen all the ugliness that divides us and the many ways and reasons we should be coming together. Starting this week, Above the Divide will release new episodes that discuss divisive issues and helpful solutions. Subscribe today and set a reminder to join us.